ACBA Credit Agricole Bank - Syndicated Loan

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The EBRD is considering a senior loan to ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank for on-lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). The loan, which is expected to be syndicated, will assist the bank to expand its lending activities to farmers and private sector Armenian entrepreneurs, particularly outside of the capital. The loan will increase supply of medium-term funding and will allow an increasing number of farmers and MSMEs to have access to bank financing. By supporting one of the leading local banks, EBRD will add to the overall lending capability of the banking sector in Armenia and will provide strong demonstration effect to other Armenian banks. ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank is a leading bank in Armenia ranking third by total assets (US$ 280 million) as of end March 2008. The bank initially focussed on MSE and agricultural lending and has successfully developed into a universal bank with a wide range of products. Credit Agricole, one of the leading financial services companies in Europe, is the bank’s largest shareholder with 28 per cent equity stake. Senior loan of up to US$ 50 million, of which EBRD will retain up to US$ 25 million and will seek to syndicate up to US$ 25 million. The loan will be split between MSE and SME facilities in a ratio of 7 to 3. Up to US$ 50 million. Screened FI. The client has developed and is implementing environmental procedures to meet the basic environmental requirements of EBRD. The procedures aim at implementing principles of sound and sustainable environmental development and crediting only those operations which conform to EBRD's Environmental Exclusion and Referral Lists and comply with the health, safety, worker protection and environmental regulations and standards applicable in Armenia. As part of the Armenia Microlending Programme, Institution building technical assistance has been previously provided to ACBA-Credit Agricole through donor funds provided by USAID and the multi-donor Early Transition Countries multi-donor fund. The bank has also benefited from technical assistance for Medium-Sized Co-financing Facility funded by the multi-donor Early Transition Countries multi-donor fund. For consultant opportunities for projects financed by technical cooperation funds, visit procurement of consultants. Styopa Zakinyan Head of Division for Strategic Planning 1 Byron St, 375009 Yerevan, Armenia Tel:+37410 58 30 65 Email: strategy@acba.am